Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story has just been released on Netflix. The new documentary explores the horrific crimes of Britain's most notorious serial killers.
Between 1967 and 1987, Fred and Rose West committed at least 12 murders, all of whom were women and teenagers. Before taking the lives of their victims, they were often tortured and sexually abused, before being dismembered and buried in the cellar or garden of the couple's Gloucester home. As the crimes were uncovered, the property was dubbed the 'House of Horrors.'
Among the known victims, two were the children of Fred and Rose West.
Who were Fred and Rose West?
Fred and Rose West were married serial killers. The couple were arrested in 1994, after police secured a search warrant to excavate their Gloucester home. Fred was charged with 12 counts of murder, but he committed suicide in custody before he could stand trial. Rose was convicted of 10 murders and is currently serving a life sentence.
Which of their children did Fred and Rose murder?
Charmaine was the first-born child of Fred's first wife Catherine (Rena) Costello, who was tragically also murdered. When Rena met Fred, she was already pregnant with her daughter.
Along with her younger sister Anna Marie, Charmaine was subjected to cruel treatment by Fred, who would cage them in a bunk bed, only letting them out when he was at work. Fred also became abusive and controlling towards Rena, who eventually escaped the relationship, leaving her children in her husband's care.
When Fred met Rose, she became the nanny of Charmaine and Anna Marie before the couple welcomed their first daughter, Heather, in 1970. Shortly after, Fred was arrested and sent to prison for theft. During this time, the three girls experienced verbal and physical abuse from Rose. Charmaine was vocal about wanting her mother to rescue her - something that angered Rose.
Days before Fred was released from prison in 1971, Rose murdered Charmaine, who was just eight years old at the time. It's believed Rose initially kept her remains in the cellar until Fred returned home and buried her in the garden. The couple explained Charmaine's disappearance by saying she had gone to live with her mother.
Fred and Rose West were also responsible for the disappearance and murder of their daughter Heather. Both Heather and her sister Mae were regularly sexually abused by their father. The girls were told not to tell anyone, but Heather allegedly confided in her school friends.
Heather would later drop out of school and apply for jobs away from home to try and escape her parents. In 1987, she was unfortunately rejected for a maid's position at a resort in Torquay - a story Fred and Rose would twist when explaining her disappearance. Because a day later, while her siblings were at school, Heather was killed and buried under the patio.
Before Fred took his own life, he claimed Rose was not responsible for Heather's murder. However, she was convicted of killing her daughter in 1995.
Who are the known victims of Fred and Rose West?
As well as Charmaine and Heather, Fred and Rose West also murdered 10 other girls. Their known victims were Ann McFall, 18, Catherine (Rena) Costello, 27, Lynda Gough, 19, Carol Ann Cooper, 15, Lucy Partington, 21, Thérèse Siegenthaler, 21, Shirley Hubbard, 15, Juanita Mott, 18, Shirley Robinson, 18, and Alison Chambers, 16.
Did Fred and Rose West have any other children?
Yes. Collectively, the couple were responsible for 10 children, eight of whom survived. Anna Marie was born to Fred and Rena. Mae and Stephen were born to Fred and Rose. Tara, Louise, Rosemary and Lucyanna are believed to be fathered by Rose's sex work clients. Barry is believed to be Fred’s biological son.
Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story is available to stream on Netflix.
Sophie Williams is a Freelance Journalist and Copywriter, covering everything from Fashion to Entertainment to music, Lifestyle and Features. She has interviewed a range of musical artists and authors including Alyssa Edwards, Courtney Barnett, Confidence Man, The Vaccines, Loyle Carner, Gabrielle, and John Niven, and has written for publications like Metro, Reader's Digest, ITV's Woo! and Vice’s NBGA. She is also working on a book for HarperCollins about Taylor Swift, due to be published in 2024.
